I
was reminded today how our lives seem to change after the age of 40 yrs old for
women.
It’s
funny because before you turn the big 40 you really don’t give the “other side”
much thought at all. For me it’s always been just a number, just a phase of
life.
Youth
is defined by the way we feel and act and look and not by the age we are right?
But
somehow I find this age does change
most of us. And it is never really expected. It is sort of a bit like a truck
hitting you-you don’t think about it often and don’t entertain the possibility
much. When it happens you are left a little surprised, to say the least.
I
am starting to really understand why woman in their 40’s and 50’s keep talking about
how much wisdom they have and how these are really the years where they mature,
and start being more peaceful and understanding their lives more. Many 40 plus
something say it is the age of increased wisdom.
Ya…that is true.
Because the age of increased beauty seems to be slowly but surely decreasing.
No wonder we get to have more wisdom!
No
offense to anyone over 40 reading this post….but I think we all look different after 40 somehow. The
heavier ones, the skinny many ones, the blonds, the athletic ones, the sexy
ones, the shy ones. All of us.
Somehow
after 40 no matter what, skin looks punchier, butts look bigger, butts look
flatter, hair has less shine, moles are more noticeable, tummies protrude, and
eyes look wrinklier, lines on face more noticeable.
I
recently saw a girl at a party that was purely gorgeous at 38 yrs old two years
ago and this year at 40…she just looked like a middle aged woman in a short
sparkly skirt trying to act young!
(Ok
if I have not depressed you enough by this point you are strong! I am depressed
myself just editing this post!)
But
wait! Wait! It is not all bad ok??? I am getting to the good part..see how
impatient you get past 40 on top of everything else???
I
really honestly and seriously believe that at this age we start believing that
beauty is truly skin deep. We start being more beautiful inside and therefore
our beauty on the outside is enhanced by this inner beauty.
Yes
this is very true indeed.
Our
beauty changes at this age but so do our hearts. And don’t get me wrong we are
all still rocking and attractive chicks! Terms like MILTF apply to us even if
disgusting terminology! And we still deserve
to be called Yummy Mommies. We earn our titles well beyond 40. We are still
super cute!
But
still something happens at this age. No matter how good our bodies might look
other woman start looking at us funny if we wear a bikini at the beach, no
matter how sweet and how beautiful our eyes are and how long our legs are…younger
men begin flirting with us less.
Somehow
telling a younger man that you have a 15 yrs. old is just not that sexy is it? Or
that you are desperately saving for three College educations? Or that you are
proud of your boobs that still hold their own and seem to defy gravity most
days of the week?
Somehow
at this magical age we become more honest with ourselves and who we are. We
become more honest with others around us too.
We
no longer play the “I am adorable don’t you think?” ticket L((
We
leave that to our beautiful and youthful daughters to do in our place now
instead.
So
that is why after 40…when most of us start feeling slightly less attractive; that
we heighten our other assets in mysterious ways.
I
am kind! I volunteer! I don’t beat up my husband when he falls asleep in Greys Anatomy! I recycle! I think twice before
buying 5 purses for the same season! I teach lots of values to my kids! I am a
good citizen! I eat fruit! And flaxseed!
Well
yes of course you do Missy! These things are essential now that nobody is
looking at your butt as you walk down the hall. They are all judging you by your
actions and personality and decisions. What a pressure!!!!!
Step
it up Girl!!!
Now
is the time you see some woman becoming more religious, more involved in the community,
fighting for causes, becoming better friends, applying to be plus size models,
accepting the world around them..Accepting themselves.
And
I know it sounds a bit odd all of this but it all occurred to me this morning
when at the gym I saw a bunch of thirty years old with little kids under 5 yrs.
old working out in their flashy hot pink tops and their black lululmon pants
looking great and filled with pride that their babies were at the gym daycare
not crying.
Then
another group of women in stretchy tshirts and equally nice lululemon pants
(one size bigger) with not as much nail polish on and ponytails not as straight
and combed high….talking about other stuff than kids. Politics, the penny
coming off the market. Life.
Neither
was better or worse. They were just different. And I started questioning myself
where I belonged? Somewhere in the middle of them I hoped. When I did my
crunches in front of the mirror, I longingly looked into the mirror and missed
the girl I was…but also felt pride and wonder at the woman I am becoming. I
gave myself a silent pat on the back for having grown up.
Mostly
I felt in awe. That age could be so important and so significant. In awe at
women in general and everything we all have to offer at any age.
And
I thought about all of my friends and women in my life all over 40 and contemplated
that now we all have the whole package. We are beautiful..we really, really
are. Don’t you think?
